There are so many non-profit pet organizations in this part of the world that it borders on ridiculous. There are boutique rescues all over Oregon, dedicated specifically to greyhounds, dachshunds, huskies, pit bulls, etc.—if a breed exists, there's a niche for it in the Pacific Northwest's network of charitable animal efforts. The overwhelming majority of energy and resources are directed at rescuing animals from bad situations and/or finding them happy forever homes, which is certainly necessary. But once ownership is established, there are far fewer entities at work to look after animals whose humans find themselves needing a hand in caring for them. That's where folks like the PAW (Portland Animal Wellness) Team come in.
Anyone who's spent even a smidgeon of time in Portland's urban core knows the city has a very visible homelessness problem. Dig deeper and you enter the maelstrom of conflict over Portland's affordable housing crisis—a problem that's spiraling out at a far faster rate than solutions. Social services agencies across the board are straining to meet increased need, and finding something as essential as shelter can make an already competitive endeavor incredibly difficult when you have an animal with you.
- Chris Lazarus
